Lifting tongs



June 6, 1944. A. PETERSEN 2,350,528

LIFTING Tones Filed April 8, 194:5

Patented June 6, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE LIFTINQG; TONGS Alfred Petersen, Chicago, Ill.

Application April 8, 1943, Serial No. 482,277 8 Claims. (i. 294-85) This invention relates to lifting tongs, and more particularly to a novel form of tongs for lifting cloth articles of various kinds out of hot liquids such as in a wash tub, to avoid soiling or injuring the operators hands, and when desired, enable the placing of such articles into a wringer or the like, without the need of the operators hand touching the articles.

As heretofore practiced, the lifting by hand of cloth or other articles out of the water in a wash tub upon completion of the wash, is an unpleasant task for many reasons, including getting the hands soiled with dirty water, burning or scalding the hands when the water is hot, injury to the ngers -by pins or other sharp articles, as well as danger of injury to the ngers by getting them caught between the wringer rolls when `inserting the articles being washed into the wringer.

By the present invention I have overcome the above objections by providing a pair of tongs (preferably of wood but not necessarily limited thereto) light in weight, and of novel construction to be eicient in use, durable, pleasing in appearance, economical to manufacture and easy to operate, so that the operator can place the separated free ends of the tongs in the water, close said ends together, and grasp the article or articles in the water, lift them out of the water and insert them into tfhe wringer if desired. Should the forward ends of the tongs accidentally become caught in the wringer the tongs (being reasonably small in cross-section and free of projections) may pass through the wringer without damage either to the tongs, or the wringer, or the operators hand.

Among the objects of my invention are to overcome the above objections and make possible the achievementof the above advantages.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel form of pivotal connection between the two legs of the tongs.

A further object is to provide a novel form of plate and novel connection of the same to the tong arms to produce improved articulation between these arms, Y n

A still further object is to provide a pair of tongs with light weight arms that normally stand apart and are so shaped and arranged that they may be readily grasped by one hand of the operator and be easily and effectively operated.

Other objects, advantages and capabilities will later more fully appear.

My invention further resides in the combination, construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and while I haveshown therein a preferred embodiment, I wish it understood that the same is susceptible of modication and change without departing from the spirit of my invention.

the line 3 3 0f Fig. 2.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a pair of lifting tongs embodying my invention, the free ends of the tongsv being shown in nearly closed position in dotted lines. y

Fig. 2 is an edge elevation of the tongs shown in Fig. 1. f

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal section on Fig. 4 is a transverse section on the line of Fig. 3.

. Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing the parts in the position they will occupy when the tong arms are closed.

Referring more in detail to the drawing my improved tongs comprise the two arms I and 2, `each formed at the jointed end with a centrally located longitudinal slot, this slot being designated in the arm I at 3, and in the arm 2 at v4. Formed in the arms I and 2 to pass transversely therethrough are holes 5 and B, respectively. Floatably mounted within the slots 3 and 4 is a metal plate 'I having fixed centrally in. one end portion, to extend approximately equal distances on each side, a pin I0 which in length is preferably substantially equal to the thickness of one of the arms. Plate 'I has also formed therein at equal distances from pin I0 and in transverse alignment therewith two holes 8 andl 9 through which loosely extend the pins II and I2 respectively (see Figs. 3 and 4), which Vare fixed in holes 5 andIi, of the arms, holes 5 and 6 being in alignment with holes`8 and 9, respectively.

Pin I0 is preferably larger in diameter than pins II and I2 and of a diameter, and so located with relation to pins II and I2, and between the arms, that the outer cylindrical surface oi pin I0 Will form bearing seurfaces for the adjacent inner faces of the arms I and 2- as said arms are opened and closed. Pins jII'and I2 are fixed in the holes 5 and 6 of the arms 'by riveting as shown in Fig.4 or by a tight 1itor in any other manner desired. `Also if desired .the pins Il and l2 may be loose in the-holes 5 and 6 of the arms and tightn the plate l, vthe mam requirement being that pins II and I2 be tight in one of these parts and loose in the other to prevent the pins from falling out. If desired, however.. these pins maybe loose in both the plate and the arms if suitable means are -provided to prevent falling out of the pins.'

Except for the pins II and I2, and the bearing contact of the arms I and 2 upon'the pin II), the plate 'l is otherwiseunconnected to the arms, but floats loosely in vthe slots 3 and 4 foredge lwise movement at its free end. `This provides an entirely new type of floating pivotal mounting between a pair of tong arms such as those described herein. It is also to be noted that the adjacent surfaces of the arms will have a rolling action with relation to the pin I which, in combination with the pins Il and I2, adds greatly to the stability of the pivotal mounting, gives a greater freedom of movement.l between the arms, produces a greatly increased lifetime of usefulness of the tongs, eliminates protruding projections, enables a more convenient grasping,

of the tongs with the hand of the operator, creates a more pleasing appearance, and greatly enbetween the inner edges of the arms, said inner edges having a combined rolling and longitudinal` sliding movement upon said third pin, and spring means for normally urging the arms apart at their free ends, said third pin being positioned laterally between the other two pins.

3. In lifting tongs, a pair of pivotal arms, each Vof the arms having a transverse slot in its rear end portion, a plate in said slots, a pin in each hances the saleability and usefulness of the tongs At their rear ends, each of the arms I and 2 are cut on an incline IS, which inclined portions face each each other so'asto form an abutment when the arms are held, 'by the spring I3, open to their maximum degree. In other wordstheinclined faces I6 limit the amount of opening movement thearms are permitted to have.

The inner faces of the free ends of the arms I and 2 'are formed with serrations or roughened 'portions I1 to afford a better and more positive `grip by the tong ends on an article being picked up or handled, which is of especial value when handling wet or slippery articles.

As will be understood Vthe adjacent faces of the arms will have a combined rolling and sliding movement upon the pin I0, the free end of the plate 'I being free to move or float edgewise in the slots 3 as the direction of applicationA Vof pressure upon the armsfand upon pins I I and' I2 may -require in the various movementsfof the tongs.l during operation. When pressure is appliedy upon the arms, the arms ywill bear against the large pin I0 rather than upon the smaller pins II and I2, theflatter serving 'to prevent the parts Afrom falling apart. The plateV 'I in the slots holds the arms in alignment and prevents twisting or distortion of the. arms. floats in the slots and thus accommodate itself to themovements ofV the arms. Also the operator cannot get a linger between the arms and closey the arms, hence it is impossible for the operator to have his fingers drawn into a wringer should the tongs be accidentally pulled thereinto.

. Having described my invention, -I claim:

1.. In lifting tongs, apairof arms, means for vpivotally connecting: i-the--arms together, said means Vcomprisinga plate, a pin in -each'of lsaid arms passing through theplate, anda third pin in the plate extending laterally therefrom and positioned between adjacent faces of the inner` third ypin extending laterally from theplate and The plate i of the arms and passing through the plate, a third'pin extending laterally from the plate and between the inner edges of the arms, said inner vedges having a combined rolling and sliding movement upon said third pin, and spring means for normally urging the arms apart at their free ends, saidy three pins being in lateral alignment.

4. In lifting tongs, a pair of pivotal arms, a plate, each of the two arms being pivotally connected to the plate, and a pin extending from the Aplate into the space between the inner edges of the arms, and spring means normally urging the arms to swing apart, said pin being positioned laterally between the-means pivotally connecting the two arms to the plate.

5. In lifting tongs, a pair of pivotal arms, a

plate, each of the two arms being pivotally connected to the plate, and a pin extending from the plate into thespace between the inner edges of the arms, and spring means normally urging the arms to swing apart, and stop means for limiting the amount of said outward swinging movement, said pin being positioned laterally between the means pivotally connecting the two arms to the plate.

6. In lifting tongs, a pair of pivotal arms, a plate, each of the two amis being pivotally connected to the plate, and a pin extending `from the plate into the space between the inner edges of the arms, and spring means normally urging the arms to swing apart, and stop means Vfor limiting the amount of said outward swinging movement, said last mentioned means comprising an inclined face on the rear end of each of the arms, said pinbeing positioned laterally between the means pivotally connecting the two 'arms to the plate."

7. In lifting tongs, a pairof swingable arms, a plate' at the rear-endofsad arms, three pins passing'through the'plate, one of said pins passing into one of the arms, another of the pins passing into the other ofthe arms, and the third lpin `being positioned between the inner edges of the two arms to have a combined rolling `and sliding movement thereon, said three pins being in lateral alignment and falling in a straight 'line passing laterally'therethrough and extending vsubstantially at right angles tothe longitudinal axis of each "of the arms when thearms are closed.

'8.- In lifting tongs, a pair of yswingable arms, a

uplate at the rear end of saidV arms, three pins 

